In the Metrics
Nine MVFC teams rank in the Top 25 of the Sagarin football ratings, which includes five of the Top 9. The same nine MVFC schools rank in the Top 33 of the Massey FCS computer rankings. Notably, eight MVFC programs rank in the Top 19 of Massey’s Strength of Schedule ratings. The MVFC is the top-rated FCS league in the Sagarin, followed by the Big Sky, ASUN, and Southern.
Open Season
North Dakota beat UNI on Sept. 10, 2022. It’s the earliest start for an MVFC game since Sept. 11, 2010 (#13 UNI hosted and beat #21 NDSU, 16-9). Illinois State, Indiana State, and Youngstown State open this week. The Missouri Valley Football Conference is celebrating its 38th anniversary this fall. NDSU has an active winning streak in MVFC season-opening games of 12 wins, including the 2022 opener at South Dakota. Notably, Southern Illinois and Missouri State played the league’s first conference game 9/7/85.
Ranked vs. Ranked
Two league games on Sept. 24 featured two ranked MVFC programs. Missouri State (4) hosted South Dakota State (2), while North Dakota (19) played at Southern Illinois (24) on Saturday, marking the 212th and 213th time two ranked MVFC teams played one another. Following those games, the home team is 123-89 and the higher-ranked team is 132-81 in the previous meetings. (Ranking listed is the higher in either the Stats Perform or AFCA poll; the numbers also include one neutral site game.)
Against the FBS
Including Southern Illinois’ 31-24 win at Northwestern in 2022, Missouri Valley Football Conference schools have combined for 48 wins against FBS teams since 1985. A league member has picked up at least one FBS win for 12 of the last 13 seasons (only missing the 2020-21 COVID season in which only one FBS team was played).
Against the FCS
The MVFC has a 13-7 record against FCS schools in 2022. Five of the seven losses have been against ranked FCS teams. Remarkably, a league member has only lost two games to an unranked FCS opponent since September of 2019, going 35-2 against FCS unranked teams during that span, including a perfect 24-0 last year.
MVFC in the NFL
A total of 26 former Missouri Valley Football Conference players made Opening Day rosters for NFL teams. NDSU leads all MVFC teams with 10.
2021 Playoff Success
League schools combined for eight wins in the 2021 tournament, capped by NDSU’s championship game victory against Montana State. NDSU extended the MVFC’s FCS-record to 11-straight title game appearances for a league school. Notably, the 2021 season marked the 16th title appearance for the MVFC. The league is 11-5 in title games, although Youngstown State (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994) and Southern Illinois (1983) both played in the championship prior to joining the league. All of the league’s title-game appearances have occurred since 1997.
Playoff Dominance
The MVFC is 81-38 (.681) since 2010 in the playoffs — which includes 15 intra-conference games (meaning the league is 66-23 against teams from other leagues for a phenomenal .776 winning percentage). Last season, MVFC teams combined to go 25-5 against non-conference FCS teams. All five losses were to ranked FCS teams, all of which made the 2021 playoff field.
MVFC Ties FCS Record
In 2021, for the first time in Conference history, six Missouri Valley Football teams earned bids into the 24-team FCS playoff field. Only one other conference in NCAA history has received six bids in a single playoff (CAA in 2018). The MVFC had received as many as five bids four times previously (2014, 2015, 2017, and in Spring 2021).
MVFC All-Americans
A total of 28 MVFC student-athletes highlight the 2022 HERO Sports FCS Preseason All-America Teams, which includes 14 first-team selections. The MVFC had an FCS-best 22 student-athletes on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Teams.
Walter Payton Award Watch List
Eight MVFC student-athletes are among the 35 finalists on the preseason Stats Perform Walter Payton Watch List.
Buck Buchanan Watch List
Six MVFC student-athletes are among the 35 finalists on the preseason Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Watch List.
Passing Fancy
Two league schools rank among the national leaders in passing yards per game. UNI leads the MVFC and ranks 10th by averaging 290.2 yards through the air; while Missouri State is right behind (14th/276.2). Theo Day of UNI is 8th individually (287.5), while Jason Shelley of Missouri State ranks 11th in the FCS (276.2).
In a Zone
Two MVFC teams rank among the national FCS leaders in red zone efficiency. South Dakota State is tied for 10th in the nation, as the Jackrabbits have converted 12 of 13 red-zone trips (92.3 percent). Ten of those conversions have been touchdowns. UND is right behind (91.7 percent), as the Fighting Hawks rank 12th with 11 successful conversions in 12 red-zone trips.
Running Game
North Dakota State ranks fifth in the FCS by averaging 265.5 yards per game on the ground.
Top Defenses
Three MVFC schools rank in the Top 15 in the FCS in rushing defense, topped by South Dakota State (5th, 58.0 ypg), and Youngstown State (6th, 69.7 ypg). Southern Illinois has yielded under 100 yards on the ground per game, as the Salukis rank 15th in the FCS at 90.5 ypg. Meanwhile, SDSU (5th/252.5 ypg); North Dakota State (7th/266.8 ypg); and Illinois State (11th/287.7 ypg) represent the Conference among the FCS leaders in total defense.
